I was about to go check who was at the door,
But Seol Harin jumped up first, as if she already knew who it was.
After a brief scuffle outside, she returned quickly.
And I earned some NTR coins while sitting back.
[NTR Situation Staged!]
[Earned 5 Coins!]
Now I'm getting the hang of the system.
Staging an NTR situation or NTR-ing someone earns coins.
Those coins can be used to upgrade skills like "Drug Chance" or buy items from the NTR shop.
One way or another, Kim Taeyang's fate is inescapable.
"Hey, who was it?"
"No need to worry. Just someone who came to the wrong place."
"Huh? Think you can fool me, sow?"
"…It was Juhyeok."
As expected.
Kang Juhyeok came looking for me, and Seol Harin sent him away.
It was only natural for Kang Juhyeok to show up.
As the protagonist with a "nice guy" vibe, he wouldn't just sit idly by in a situation like this.
He probably planned to ambush me with Planchel's stigma.
Too bad I was already prepared.
Anyway.
I get that, but I don't understand why Seol Harin sent him away.
Is she setting a trap?
Did Kang Juhyeok sneak into the house without me noticing?
I don't sense anyone else, though.
"Why'd you send him away?"
"That's…"
"Hey, hey! Stop being annoying and spit it out!! Don't forget you're my property!!!"
"…I was embarrassed."
"What?"
"I was… ashamed of being treated like this by you…"
Hmm. That's it?
Well, it makes sense for Seol Harin.
With her strong pride, she probably didn't want her childhood friend to see her broken like this.
But this development feels straight out of an NTR plot…
Not that I have any intention of touching her.
Not just her, but any heroine.
If I mess around with the heroines or "plant a baby seed," I'll regret it later.
Once their arousal switch is flipped, heroines are done as heroes.
They'd stop training and turn into nothing but breeding-obsessed toys.
But her growing distance from Kang Juhyeok is a good sign.
The protagonist is a musclehead type.
He's the kind who gets stronger when isolated.
Of course, I need to keep it in check to avoid getting revenge later.
"Don't talk to other guys in front of me from now on."
"No guy even approaches me. Thanks to you."
"That pathetic childhood friend of yours included!"
"Fine!!"
Seol Harin snapped back.
At that moment, Pomi, who was nearby, barked.
"Woof woof woof! Grrrr…!!!"
It was as if she was scolding Seol Harin for raising her voice.
"Heh heh heh. Looks like Pomi sees you as my slave too. Wanna get on her good side? Be a more obedient girl. Heh heh heh."
"Tch…"
"That's enough for today. I'll tell you your schedule starting tomorrow."
Seol Harin looked up and glared at me.
Her gaze was openly hostile.
But so what?
What can you do?
What can you do besides glaring or cursing me in your head~?
"Wake up at 6 a.m. Be at the staff gym by 6:30."
"Doing that again in the morning?"
"Hey! Don't talk about sacred lifting time like that!! Apologize right now!!!"
Seol Harin glanced at Pomi before whispering softly.
"I… might be a little sorry…"
That's an apology?
And I'm letting this slave off easy?
No matter how I think about it, I'm too kind.
"Until enrollment, you'll spend the rest of your time with me, but once the semester starts, you're free from 9 a.m. until classes end. However, if you leave during breaks, report to me."
"How am I supposed to report every time I step away?! Even for a slave, that's too much!!"
Hey, hey!
You've got it better than soldiers who have to report every bathroom break!!
"Shut it, sow! No backtalk!!"
"Ugh…"
"After classes, come back to me! We'll train like today, and you'll help with my workouts too, so don't be late!"
"Do you enjoy watching me suffer that much? You're the epitome of filth…"
I do enjoy it.
Because it's proof you're getting stronger.
It feels like we're approaching this from different angles,
But as long as we get to Seoul, who cares how we get there? Let's move on.
"Now get out."
"…"
I meant to say "You can go," but Kim Taeyang's mouth has a mind of its own.
Sorry about that, Seol Harin!
Utterly drained, Seol Harin slinked out of my room like wilted seaweed.
Now it was just me and Pomi left in the room.
Poof—!
The moment Seol Harin left, Pomi humanized.
"Master! Let's go for a walk!! A walk!!"
"Heh heh heh. A constellation begging for a walk the moment she gets a chance? So pathetic it's cute!"
"Woof woof!"
Pomi lunged at me enthusiastically.
Normally, Pomi is a pretty and well-behaved dog, but in her humanized form…
To be honest, she's a bit of a problem.
'She's too damn hot, it's a problem!'
She throws herself at me, rubbing her whole body against mine every chance she gets.
Her killer figure in that barely-there bikini is driving me insane.
But it's not like I can do that with Pomi…
'I wouldn't be able to face her dog form afterward!!!!'
That'd be bestiality!!
So, we've decided to avoid any awkward situations.
Besides, Pomi's clinginess isn't sexual.
She's just a dog who loves her master—it's just that her body is human now.
"Hey, Pomi. Before we go for a walk, I've got some business to take care of. Can a good dog wait?"
"Woof! I can wait! I'll wait with my leash on!"
"Hey, you don't need a leash in human form."
"Really?? For real??"
Pomi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Yeah, no leash needed.
But maybe put on some clothes…
I had her wait for a bit and opened my status window.
It was time to tally my NTR coins and check out what I could buy in the shop.
[Current NTR Coins: 80]
I currently have 80 coins.
I earned 100 from NTR-ing Pomi, spent 25 to unlock an effect for "Drug Chance," and gained 5 from the recent NTR situation.
The NTR shop only displayed items I could afford with 80 coins.
◆ NTR Shop
[Unlock New Drug Effect: 25 Coins]
- The next drug effect is not revealed.
[Flip-Flops: 30 Coins]
- Beach-appropriate flip-flops.
- Slightly increases running speed.
- Charm +1
[Hawaiian Shirt: 40 Coins]
- A shirt fit for the beach.
- Slightly intimidates others.
- Charm +2
[Beach Set: 80 Coins]
- Flip-flops, Hawaiian shirt, and orange sunglasses set.
- The ultimate beach fashion! Ready for hunting!
- Orange sunglasses detect faint mana flows.
- Orange sunglasses are only sold as part of the set.
- Total Charm +4
- Grants a hidden bonus effect when the set is completed.
[Miniature Camera: 80 Coins]
- A tiny camera perfect for covert filming.
- Enhances the "Intelligence Degradation Blackmail" skill.
That's about it for what I can buy.
Unlocking more drug effects can wait since I'm good for now.
Buying flip-flops and a shirt separately seems less efficient than getting the set…
The miniature camera looks very useful too.
A camera that boosts a skill is better than a regular one.
But my choice was the "Beach Set."
The key is the sunglasses that detect mana!
Kim Taeyang has great physical stats but lacks in mana.
Being able to sense mana will be a huge help in upcoming classes and events.
Plus, there's a set completion bonus, so it's a steal.
The only problem?
I'll have to wear this to classes, dungeons, everything…
"What am I worrying about?! A guy like me can pull off anything perfectly!!!"
Kim Taeyang's mouth runs wild as always!
I'm heading to the entrance ceremony in a full beach outfit!
This is gonna be a disaster…!!!
***
The entrance exam period passed quickly.
After finishing the duel exam, I trained with Seol Harin every day.
She remained wary and scornful but diligently followed the training.
The written and practical exams were no big deal.
The practical was a simple fitness test, so I aced it.
For the written, I got Seol Harin to tutor me on key questions, and I crammed my way through.
Honestly, the written and practical exams only account for 10% each, so they're not that important.
More like a formality.
The result?
I ended up as the second-ranked student, just behind Seol Harin, who took first.
"Haa. Having to give an oath is such a hassle."
I never imagined I'd have to give an oath.
Guess our duel evaluations were just too outstanding.
Well, at this point, the only first-years who stand out are Seol Harin and Kang Juhyeok.
Bang bang bang!
A loud knock on the door.
Urgent voices from seniors came through.
"Kim Taeyang! We're from the disciplinary committee!!"
"We know you're in there!! Come out now!!"
"The oath ceremony is about to start!!"
That's right.
The entrance ceremony is already underway.
And here I am, still in my room.
If you're wondering why, it's only natural to explain.
It's because of the message that popped up in front of me.
[Slept in on the day of the entrance ceremony…]
[Somehow, I feel refreshed.]
[Stamina +1]
Being late to the entrance ceremony or skipping certain classes grants small rewards.
I wanted to test if it actually worked, and it did.
Sweet deal.
"Kim Taeyang!! Even the dean is attending!! If you don't come out, we'll break the door dow—"
Click—
I opened the door and saw a familiar face.
The glasses-wearing disciplinary committee senior who'd picked a fight with me before.
I grabbed his collar and shouted.
"Hey! You scratched my door by banging on it!! How you gonna compensate for that, huh?!!!"
"Gah…! W-Where's the scratch…?"
I didn't actually mean to start a fight.
It was just Kim Taeyang being Kim Taeyang.
I decided to apologize right away.
"Heh heh heh. Just kidding, man. You think a few knocks would scratch a door? Your stuttering's hilarious."
But that's what came out instead.
Guess I have no choice but to live with Kim Taeyang's way of talking…
"You punk… W-Wait! Kim Taeyang! What's with that outfit?!"
"Huh? What's wrong with my outfit?!!"
"That… That's something you'd wear at the beach!!"
After buying the full beach set, I couldn't help but wear it.
It just felt like it fit me perfectly.
Well, it wasn't exactly unavoidable—I just decided to wear it.
The reason…?
Since I'm already late, let's run!
.
.
.
"Where's that Gundaru guy?"
"…I heard the disciplinary committee is escorting him. Seems he overslept."
"Sleeping in for the entrance ceremony? What a mess~ We can't wait, so let's just proceed!"
The dean moved on to the final part of the ceremony.
The oath of the top and second-ranked students.
Seol Harin, the top student, took the stage.
"I swear… We, the new students…"
I walked in just as the oath began.
Click—
As the door opened, all eyes turned to me.
I strutted to the stage, flaunting my beach fashion.
"It's Kim Taeyang!"
"What's with that outfit…?!"
"Not only is he late for the entrance ceremony, he's not even in uniform!!"
Hawaiian shirt.
Shorts.
Flip-flops.
Orange sunglasses.
I could hear the whispers about my fashion.
I deliberately flexed my muscles and glared at the students with murderous intent.
Grrrrrrrr…!!!!
"…"
"…"
The room fell silent.
A menacing face comes in handy at times like this.
"Gundaru-kun!"
"Oh—Hey there."
My first meeting with the dean.
Late and dressed like a weirdo.
The worst.
"So, what's the deal here…? Didn't we decide to expel Gundaru-kun for being late to the ceremony?"
"Huh?"
"Just kidding~ Hurry and stand next to Harin-chan, Gundaru-kun!"
"…"
Dean Yokozawa Tomoe.
A character with a personality just as wild as Kim Taeyang's.
Whatever, let's move on.
I took the oath paper and began reciting alongside Seol Harin.
"I swear… We, the new students, will abide by Ark Academy's rules and live a diligent school life…"
As expected, Seol Harin recited the oath diligently.
Unfortunately, I hate boring stuff.
To be precise, it's not me who hates it—Kim Taeyang does.
His trait literally says, "Dislikes serious things."
"All new students, blah blah blah… I swear-!"
Brilliant, Kim Taeyang…!
Summarizing a few lines into "blah blah blah"…!!
You're a genius!!!
Some students snickered at my oath, while most of the professors looked appalled.
But not the dean.
"Hahahaha! Gundaru-kun sure has charm. I hate boring stuff too, so let's let it slide! Harin-chan and Gundaru-kun, say a few words to the students and professors!"
The dean handed me the mic.
I snatched it and threw an arm around Seol Harin, my rough grip making her stumble.
"This school's already making me do annoying crap from the start!!!"
"…"
"Huh? Hey!! It's a joke, so laugh a little!!!! Don't make this awkward?!!!!"
"Ha, haha!"
"That's, uh, funny!!"
"Pfft…! Heehee!!"
The students forced out laughs.
The professors' faces soured.
The reason I wore the full beach set to come here?
It was to make a declaration of war.
"Let's all get along!! But anyone who gets on my bad side is dead meat, so watch yourselves!!!"
"…"
I'm destined to be a notorious figure, drawing all kinds of aggro.
Why?
Because I'm gonna steal the heroines and the protagonist's constellation—how could I stay low-key~?
So instead…
"If you get it, answer me, you lousy classmates!!!!"
Acting like a complete lunatic to lower expectations is the way to go!
"Uh…?"
"Yeah, okay?"
"Huh?! Anyone quieter than me gets a beating?!!!!"
I'm shattering my image from the get-go!!!
"Understood!!"
"Louder!!!!"
"UNDERSTOOD!!!!"
That way, when I do slightly crazy stuff later, they'll just shrug it off!!!!!
"And! Anyone who messes with this one is as good as dead! She's mine, got it?!! Huh?!!!"
"YESSIR!!!"
"And professors! Don't make classes too tough!!"
"…"
"Let's take it easy, got it?!!!!"
"…"
"Answer!!!!"
"Hahahaha! Gundaru-kun, you're hilarious!!"
The only sound echoing in the auditorium was the dean's laughter.
For my final touch, I stuck out my tongue through a V-sign with my fingers.
'So freaking embarrassing!!!!'
And with that, the shocking entrance ceremony came to an end.